Warp Knitting Basics

Weft

Warp

Warp Knits--the possibilities

The Warp knitting machine Classification

Tricot machine
A tricot machine is a warp knitting machine which uses a single set of bearded or compound needles. The fabric is removed from the needles at approximately 90 degrees. The tricot machine tends to have fine gauge (28-32npi) and fewer guide bars (2,3 or 4), produce simple and fine structure.

Raschel machine
A Raschel machine is a warp knitting machine which uses a single set of vertically mounted latch or compound needles. The fabric is removed from the needles at approximately 150 degrees. The Raschel machine tends to have coarse gauge (1618npi) and more guide bars (6,8,12-48), produce normally coarse and complex structure.

Two needle bar Raschel machine

The two needle bars Raschel machine is a warp knitting machine equipped with two sets of vertically mounted latch needles. The fabric is removed from the needles vertically downwards between the two needle bars.

The Warp knitting machine elements

Warp Beams Yarn is supplied to the needles in the form of warp sheets. Each individual warp sheet is usually supplied from its own beam, which may consist of several section beams. The number of beams used on a machine is normally equal to the number of guide bars. To ensure uniform conditions of warp feed and tension, the ends are supplied from flanged beams attached to shafts which turn to unwind the warp sheet in parallel formation.

 For convenience of handling, a number of beams may be attached to a beam shaft to achieve the full width of warp sheet, for example, a warp sheet 84 inches (213cm) which might be supplied from a full width beam, two beam each 42 inches (106 cm) wide, or four beams each 21 inches (53cm) wide.

Guide bars
The guide bars extend across the complete width of the machine and their function is to wrap yarn around the needle (i.e. feed). Each guide in the guide bar is usually provided with a single end of yarn. Warp knitting machines are usually equipped with two or more guide bars. Each guide bar is normally supplied with a warp sheet from its own beam shaft to suit its requirements of threading and rate of warp feed for its particular lapping movement.

 Occasionally, two partly threaded guide bars may be supplied from the same full-threaded beam provided they make lapping movements of the same extent to each other whilst moving in opposite directions. The minimum number of guide bars and warp sheets for commercially acceptable structures is usually two.

Needle Bar
Needles, either mounted individually or in leads, are clamped to the needle bar which extends across the complete machine width.

Sinker Bar
Sinkers are positioned between each pair of needles in the needle bar and provide for fabric control during loop formation.